DON'T ABUSE CYBER FREEDOM, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture
Minister Dr Rais Yatim said despite no restrictions imposed on the
dissemination of information in cyberspace, Internet users are still required to
heed the laws.

In conjunction with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2011
Tuesday, Rais reminded users not to abuse this freedom by using technology for
crimes.

"I would like to emphasise that when we say no restriction on the Internet,
it does not mean a person is free from the laws. If a person commits a cyber
crime, he will not escape legal action.

"We don't want the community to think because we say free, it means they can
do anything. Our laws must still be respected," he told reporters at his office
here Monday.

He said the government, through Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act exercises control over the Internet
including on cyber crimes and those related to sedition and pornography.

In relation to that, he said for a start, three MCMC officers were expected
to take part in a multimedia forensics course to equip them with skills on
tackling cyber crimes.

He said the ministry was looking at such courses in the United States,
United Kingdom and Australia and that a senior MCMC officer was currently in
Geneva for initial interactions on how their officers could learn the new
skills.

In another development, Rais said the MCMC was carrying out investigations
on two bloggers reported to have published an article on rumours that
Christianity will become the country's official religion.

He added that the commission was expected to send investigation papers to
the Attorney-General for further action after investigations are completed.